Full-size Ford


Full-size Ford is a term adopted for a long-running line of Ford vehicles with a shared model lineage in North America. Originating in 1908 with the Ford Model T, the line ended in 2019 with the Ford Taurus, as Ford withdrew from the full-sized sedan segment in North America. Across 111 years, 15 generations, and over 60 million examples of the model line were produced across over 50 model nameplates. By contrast, the longest-running single nameplate worldwide is the Chevrolet Suburban, in use since the 1935 model year.
While best known for its production as a four-door sedan, the model lineage supported a wide range of body configurations, including coupes, hard tops, convertibles, station wagons, and retractable hardtops. Prior to the 1948 model year, the Ford chassis was also the basis of Ford pickup trucks. To different extents, Mercury and Lincoln shared either a body and/or chassis with full-sized Fords from the 1940s to the 2010s.
Alongside with its status as the physically largest sedan offered by Ford in North America, nearly the entire line shared a common design lineage, including a rear-wheel drive layout and body-on-frame construction, a V8 engine was offered for nearly all generations. At the time of its 2012 model-year discontinuation, the Ford Crown Victoria was the final mass-produced sedan offered with a separate frame.

Etymology

During the first half of the 20th century, American automobiles were typically identified by manufacturer and model year. At the time, each manufacturer offered nearly the same range of body styles for each of their vehicle brands. To augment their brand lineups, automakers began to market their vehicle lines in multiple nameplates, distinguished by exterior and interior trim.
The term "full-size" came into use in the early 1960s, following the introduction of compact and intermediate sedans by American automakers. While not a size term relative to its predecessors, full-size indicated the largest and most complete sedan offered by Ford.

Design commonality

Following the production of the Model T nearly unchanged from 1908 to 1927, the introduction of the Model A marked the first of multiple generations of a common model lineage, keeping pace with contemporary technology and consumer tastes. With the introduction of its V8 engine, the 1932 Ford Model B/Model 18 became the first widely produced car line with the engine type. From the 1932 to 2012 model years, Ford offered a V8 in its full-sized cars.
Originating from the Model T, each generation of the model line shared a common chassis construction layout. Body-on-frame construction was combined with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive powertrain and a live rear axle; the design is similar to many light trucks sold in North America. The sole exception is the Ford Taurus, which introduced unibody construction, four-wheel independent suspension, and front-wheel drive ; for the first time since 1931, no V8 engine was offered. Similar in several dimensions in comparison to its Crown Victoria market predecessor, the Five Hundred/Taurus was larger than the market flagships produced by Ford of Europe and Ford Australia.

Production figures

GenerationModel TModel AModel B/Ford V81935 Ford1937 Ford1941 Ford1949 Ford1952 Ford1955 Ford1957 Ford1960 FordGalaxie/LTD
Total production
Production15,006,4494,849,3401,109,7141,751,031
2,380,980
1,996,696
2,525,425
3,079, 025
2,827,849
3,977,846
4,138,182
10,288,996
53,931,533

Following the downsizing of the Ford LTD to the Panther platform for the 1979 model year, Ford produced over 5 million vehicles under the LTD, LTD Crown Victoria, Country Squire, Crown Victoria, Crown Victoria P71, and Crown Victoria Police Interceptor nameplates.

Police usage

Following the 1932 introduction of the Ford V8, police forces of North America shifted preferences for police cars; the powerful V8 engine paired in a mass-market vehicle led police forces to end their usage of premium-brand vehicles. Along with comparable sedans from AMC, Chrysler, and General Motors, the model line saw heavy use by police forces that desired robust body-on-frame construction, rear-wheel drive traction, and V8 engine power. In 1950, Ford introduced its first specialized option package for police cars; the package added heavy-duty components and an engine from the Mercury sedan.
Following the 1996 demise of the General Motors B platform, Ford held a virtual monopoly on police vehicles sold in North America into the 2010s. For 1992, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor became a distinct model line. The heavy-duty chassis of the model line proved popular among police forces during the 1990s, following the development of the PIT maneuver.
While the Ford Five Hundred was never offered as a police vehicle, the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan was introduced for 2013. Though the first Ford police car produced without rear-wheel drive or a V8 engine, the Police Interceptor Sedan was offered with two V6 engines ; an optional twin-turbocharged V6 was shared with the Taurus SHO.

First generation (1908–1927)

In September 1908, the lineage of the full-sized Ford began as the Model T entered production. The successor to the Model N and Model S, the Model T would become the first Ford to use mass-production techniques. Produced in over 14 body styles, over 15 million were produced in 19 years of production. Although its predecessors introduced the front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration to the company, the Model T was the first Ford produced in left-hand drive.
Throughout its production run, the Model T had relatively few changes. In addition to changes to refine its production, technological upgrades were made along the way. Ford added electric lights, electric starting, balloon tires, and wire wheels.
As the Model T aged in comparison to its competition, the market share held by Ford began to erode by the mid-1920s. At the end of 1927, the Model A was introduced as its replacement.

Second generation (1927–1931)

Introduced in December 1927, the Model A borrowed its name from the first car produced by the company in 1903. As with the Model T, the Model A used a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with body-on-frame construction; an all-new four-cylinder engine was introduced. As before, the Model A was produced in a wide variety of body styles; in contrast to its predecessor, the car's bodywork was designed by an in-house styling predecessor headed by Edsel Ford. Produced from 1927 to 1931, around 4.8 million were produced.
As the Model A was the first all-new design in 19 years, many features were upgraded. The Model A introduced Ford buyers to conventional driver controls; it now had pedals for the brakes, throttle, and clutch, as well as a separate gearshift. Safety glass made their automotive industry debut when Ford used it for the windshield.

Third generation (1932–1934)

For the 1932 model year, Ford introduced a revised version of the Model A. The Model B was introduced with a modernized powertrain and chassis and slightly restyled bodywork. Only five years removed from the last Model T, the Model B introduced Ford and the entire automotive industry to yearly changes for model styling. In 1933, the exterior was redesigned, while the 1934 wore a new front end of its own; all three versions rode on the same basic chassis.
For 1932, Ford introduced an option that would remain in the full-sized Ford line for seven decades. Developed as a response to the 1929 introduction of the Chevrolet "Stovebolt Six", the Model 18 offered a 65-hp flathead V8 engine for a $10 price premium over the standard Model B. Demand for the V8 was so strong that Ford struggled to keep up. After 1934, the four-cylinder engine was discontinued; the next four-cylinder Ford in North America was the Pinto in 1971.

Fourth generation (1935–1936)

For the 1935 model year, the Ford lineup was powered exclusively by a V8 engine. Styling changes introduced the first integrated trunks on sedan models and suspension changes increased interior room. In 1936, further updates included the introduction of solid wheels and the integration of the horn into the bodywork.

Fifth generation (1937–1940)

For 1937, Ford updated its car lineup with minor styling changes. However, the introduction of the De Luxe Ford marked the beginning of expansion of the Ford Motor Company brand lineup. De Luxe Ford was marketed as an upscale sub-brand to bridge the gap between Ford and Lincoln-Zephyr. In 1939, the Mercury was launched; although sharing a chassis with the Ford, its body was 6 inches wider with a wheelbase 4 inches longer; Mercury superseded De Luxe Ford as a brand.
As buyer tastes began to change in the late 1930s, certain body styles were pruned from the lineup; 1939 was the last year for the fur-door phaeton and for single-seat coupes and convertibles. A conventional "alligator" hood replaced the "butterfly" hood with its lifting side panels. Ford made several safety-related changes, as well. The dashboard was redesigned in 1938, hydraulic brakes were added in 1939, and sealed-beam headlights were introduced a year later.

Sixth generation (1941–1948)

For 1941, Ford introduced an all-new generation of cars and trucks. These were the final generation of cars produced in the lifetimes of both Edsel Ford and Henry Ford. Due to the success of Mercury, De Luxe Ford was changed from a subbrand back to a trim level within the Ford lineup. The width of the body had now increased to the point where running boards had become vestigial. For the first time since the Model K of 1906, an inline-six engine was available.
From February 1942 to July 1945, civilian production was discontinued as Ford manufactured military products for World War II. As production resumed, Ford released the 1946 model with few changes aside from a new grille. Under the hood, the V8 engine was now shared with Mercury, allowing Ford to break the 100-hp barrier for the first time. In 1947, the last Ford trucks based on the car chassis were produced. For 1948, the F-Series was introduced as a dedicated truck chassis.